Rape and IDSI (Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse) are two of the most serious crimes in Pennsylvania. If you or a loved one has been charged with Rape or IDSI contact The Zeiger Firm for a free consultation with a Philadelphia criminal defense attorney. Our experienced staff of Philadelphia Criminal Attorneys understands Rape and IDSI charges and has fought these cases before at jury trials. Various other sex crimes are also very serious and while not Rape or IDSI, can still hold a serious amount of jail time. Our Philadelphia Criminal Attorneys have fought rape, IDSI, indecent assault, and statutory rape (statutory sexual assault).
The word “rape” generates strong emotions, and few criminal cases generate the types of reactions that a rape charge brings. That is why it is vitally important to have an attorney represent the accused as early as possible in these cases. With aggressive investigation and lawyering, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania criminal defense attorneys at The Zeiger Firm have convinced authorities to drop and dismiss cases at their inception, before reputations are ruined. When cases do go forward, our criminal defense attorneys understand the various crimes that a person may be charged with, and will aggressively and zealously defend you against these charges.
Understanding Various Elements That Constitute Rape Under Pennsylvania Law.
Rape involves non-consensual sexual activity-any form of sexual conduct forced upon another person against his or her will (such as through violence, fear or another act of coercion). Rape is a felony. In turn, the penalties for a rape conviction can be enormous-imprisonment; fines; loss of rights.
In Pennsylvania, rape is defined as a felony that occurs when a person engages in sexual intercourse with a complainant:
- By forcible compulsion
- By threat of forcible compulsion that would prevent resistance by a person of reasonable resolution
- Who is unconscious or where the person knows that the complainant is unaware that the sexual intercourse is occurring
- Where the person has substantially impaired the complainant’s power to appraise or control his or her conduct by administering or employing, without the knowledge of the complainant, drugs, intoxicants or other means for the purpose of preventing resistance
- Who suffers from a mental disability which renders the complainant incapable of consent
- Who is less than 13 years of age
- Who is less than 16 years of age and the person is four or more years older than the complainant and the complainant and person are not married to each other.
Given the severity of this crime, your lawyer must develop your strongest possible defense as early as possible. Victim consent, the strength of the evidence and other considerations all must be considered to build your case and protect your rights.
Reported Rape Statistics in Philadelphia
Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reports
Why Choose a Philadelphia Rape Defense Lawyer?
The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyers at The Zeiger Firm understand the laws, rules and procedures necessary to defend clients charged with rape, and we fight to obtain the best results for our clients. We advocate zealously, never forgetting that our most important goal is obtaining the best results for our clients, whether that means fighting procedural battles or representing our clients before a judge or jury.
When you need a Philadelphia criminal defense attorney to defend you when you have been arrested and charged with rape, contact The Zeiger Firm, who represent every client zealously in order to obtain the best results possible in each case. To arrange a consultation, please give us a call at 215-546-0340 or send us an email via the form to the left.
